Apparatuses, systems and methods for detecting satellite signals

ABSTRACT

A GNSS receiver includes at least one buffer and at least one correlator block. The at least one buffer stores a plurality of samples corresponding to a received signal. The at least one correlator block includes a Doppler derotation block configured to perform Doppler derotation corresponding to at least one Doppler frequency on the plurality of samples, a register array configured to be loaded with the plurality of samples on Doppler derotation corresponding to a Doppler frequency of the at least one Doppler frequency, and a correlator engine configured to generate correlation results by correlating the plurality of samples in the register array with a plurality of code phases for at least one GNSS satellite. A presence of at least one GNSS satellite signal may be detected based on coherent accumulation and a non-coherent accumulation of the correlation results.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the disclosure relates to detecting satellite signalsusing global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers.

BACKGROUND

Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) are broadly defined toinclude GPS (U.S.), Galileo (proposed), GLONASS (Russia), Beidou(China), IRNSS (India, proposed), QZSS (Japan, proposed) and othercurrent and future positioning technologies using signals fromsatellites, with or without augmentation from terrestrial sources.Information from GNSS is being increasingly used for computing a user'spositional information (e.g., a location, a speed, a direction oftravel, etc.).

In GNSS, multiple satellites may be present, with each transmitting aGNSS signal. A received signal at a GNSS receiver contains one or moreof the transmitted GNSS signals. To obtain the information from therespective transmitted signals, the GNSS receiver performs a signalacquisition/tracking procedure. More specifically, the GNSS receiversearches for the corresponding transmitted signals in the receivedsignal and then locks onto them for subsequent tracking of thecorresponding satellites to receive the satellite information.

The signal acquisition/tracking procedure often entails correlating thereceived signal (typically down-converted to baseband) with acorresponding local signal generated within the GNSS receiver. Sincetime required by the GNSS receiver to determine the positionalinformation is dependent on time consumed in performing the signalacquisition/tracking procedure, sizable area and power consumption inthe GNSS receiver is dedicated to the signal acquisition/trackingcomponents in the GNSS receiver.

SUMMARY

GNSS receivers for detecting a GNSS satellite signal in a receivedsignal are provided. In certain embodiments, a GNSS receiver includes atleast one buffer and at least one correlator block. Each buffer isconfigured to store samples corresponding to the received signal. Insome embodiments, a sampling rate for generating the samples may be a 1sample per chip (spc), 2 spc or 4 spc.

Each correlator block includes a Doppler derotation block, a registerarray, and a correlator engine. The Doppler derotation block isconfigured to receive samples from the buffer and perform Dopplerderotation corresponding to Doppler frequencies on the samples. Theregister array is configured to be loaded with the samples on Dopplerderotation corresponding to a Doppler frequency. In some embodiments,the samples are cyclically loaded into the register array subsequent toDoppler derotation corresponding to the Doppler frequency. The registerarray is further configured to be reloaded with samples upon eachDoppler derotation corresponding to a subsequent Doppler frequency ofthe at least one Doppler frequency. The correlator engine is configuredto generate correlation results by correlating the samples in theregister array with a plurality of code phases for GNSS satellites. Insome embodiments, the plurality of code phases is configured bycyclically shifting a GNSS satellite code corresponding to each GNSSsatellite by at least one code phase.

In some embodiments, each correlator block includes a correlatorprocessing block. The correlator processing block performs at least oneof a coherent accumulation and a non-coherent accumulation of thecorrelation results. In some embodiments, the correlator processingblock also performs a timing offset correction on the correlationresults prior to performing the at least one of the coherentaccumulation and the non-coherent accumulation of the correlationresults.

In some embodiments, the GNSS receiver further includes a memory. Thememory is configured to store the coherent accumulation and/or thenon-coherent accumulation of the correlation results. In someembodiments, the correlator processing block is also configured todetect a presence of a GNSS satellite signal based on the coherentaccumulation and/or the non-coherent accumulation of the correlationresults.

Also in such embodiments, the each correlator block includes an inputquantization block and a bit accumulating block. The input quantizationblock performs a multiple level quantization of the samples. Themultiple level quantization associates each sample with a sample bitrepresentation. The bit accumulating block accumulates a bit at a firstposition within each sample bit representation prior to loading thesamples in the register array.

In some embodiments, the bit at the first position within the eachsample bit representation is configured to remain unaltered oncorrelating with code phases for the GNSS satellites. In someembodiments, the first position within each sample bit representation isa least significant bit position. In other embodiments, the correlatorengine is configured to generate correlation results for the samplesloaded in the register array by generating partial correlation results.This may be accomplished by correlating remaining bits within eachsample bit representation with the code phases for a GNSS satellite andadding bits accumulated by the bit accumulating block to the partialcorrelation results.

Methods for detecting a GNSS satellite signal in a received signal arealso provided. In certain embodiments, a method includes storing aplurality of samples corresponding to a signal, performing Dopplerderotation corresponding to at least one Doppler frequency on theplurality of samples, and generating correlation results by correlatingthe Doppler derotated samples corresponding to each Doppler frequencywith a plurality of code phases for GNSS satellites. In someembodiments, the method further includes performing at least one of acoherent accumulation and a non-coherent accumulation of the correlationresults and detecting a presence of at least one GNSS satellite signalbased on the at least one of the coherent accumulation and thenon-coherent accumulation of the correlation results.

In certain embodiments, the method also includes performing a multiplelevel quantization of the samples for associating each sample with asample bit representation. The method may further include accumulating abit at a first position within each sample bit representation prior togenerating correlation results. In some embodiments, the correlationresults are generated by generating partial correlation results, whichmay include correlating remaining bits within each sample bitrepresentation with the plurality of code phases for the GNSS satellitesand adding accumulated bits to the partial correlation results.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a network diagram depicting global navigation satellite system(GNSS) satellites and a GNSS receiver;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a GNSS receiver, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a portion of a GNSS receiver for detectingthe presence of GNSS satellite signals in a received signal, accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of multiple level quantization of samples,according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram depicting addition of the bit at the firstposition within the each sample bit representation to the partialcorrelation results for generating the correlations results, accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart diagram of a method for detecting satellitesignals in a received signal, according to an embodiment; and

FIGS. 7A and 7B depict a flowchart diagram of another method fordetecting satellite signals in a received signal, according to anembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is generally desirable that signal acquisition/tracking components inGNSS receiver be designed with reduced area and power requirements, atleast for reasons such as lower implementation cost and area, lowerpower consumption, etc. Accordingly, the present disclosure providesapparatuses, systems and methods for detecting satellite signals thatovercome these and other limitations, in addition to providing currentlyunavailable benefits.

The following description and accompanying figures demonstrate that thepresent disclosure may be practiced or otherwise implemented in avariety of different embodiments. It should be appreciated, however,that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to any or all ofthe specifically disclosed embodiments. Indeed, those skilled in the artwill appreciate that one or more of the devices, features, operations,processes, characteristics, or other qualities of a specificallydisclosed embodiment may be removed, replaced, added to, or changedwithout exceeding the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a network diagram 100 depicting global navigation satellitesystem (GNSS) satellites and a GNSS receiver. The network diagram 100depicts a GNSS receiver 102 that is configured to receive satellitesignals from a plurality of GNSS satellites. For instance, the GNSSreceiver 102 may receive a satellite signal 104 a from a GNSS satellite106 a, a satellite signal 104 b from a GNSS satellite 106 b, a satellitesignal 104 c from a GNSS satellite 106 c and a satellite signal 104 dfrom a GNSS satellite 106 d. The plurality of GNSS satellites mayhereinafter be collectively referred to as ‘GNSS satellites’ and thesatellite signals, such as satellite signal 104 a, 104 b, 104 c and 104d, may be hereinafter collectively referred to as GNSS satellitesignals. The GNSS satellites may be man-made earth orbiting devices usedfor receiving and/or transmitting signals, which may include globalpositioning satellite signals, through transponders of the man-madeearth orbiting device. Though FIG. 1 depicts the GNSS receiver 102receiving the GNSS satellite signals from only four GNSS satellites, theGNSS receiver 102 may receive GNSS satellite signals from multiplesatellites belonging to multiple satellite systems, such as a globalpositioning system (GPS), a Global'naya Navigatsionnaya SputnikovayaSistema (GLONASS) satellite system, a Galileo satellite system and thelike, and which are commonly referred to as GNSS.

A received signal at the GNSS receiver 102 may contain multipletransmitted GNSS satellite signals. To obtain the information from therespective transmitted GNSS satellite signals, the GNSS receiver 102 mayperform a signal acquisition/tracking procedure. More specifically, theGNSS receiver 102 may search for the corresponding transmitted GNSSsatellite signal in the received signal. The search may be performedbased on a Pseudorandom Number (PN) code that is unique to each GNSSsatellite. For example, in GPS, each GNSS satellite may repeatedlytransmit a unique, 1023 bit PN code of duration 1 millisecond (ms). TheGNSS satellites may also transmit a data bit every 20 ms by modulating(multiplying by +1/−1) the 20 consecutive PN codes. The GNSS receiver102 may generate local signals (at baseband) and modulate each localsignal with the unique code corresponding to the each GNSS satellite toproduce replica local signals. The received signal may then becorrelated, i.e. matched, with the replica local signals to detect apresence of corresponding GNSS satellite signals in the received signal.On detecting a presence of a particular GNSS satellite signal (e.g.,GNSS satellite signal 104 a), the GNSS receiver 102 may lock onto theGNSS satellite signal for subsequent tracking of the corresponding GNSSsatellite (e.g., GNSS satellite 106 a) to receive satellite information.After locking onto or acquiring a minimum of four GNSS satellites, theGNSS receiver 102 may compute a user position by triangulation. Thecomputation of the user position may include one or more operationsknown to those skilled in the relevant art and is not discussed hereinfor the sake of brevity of the description.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a GNSS receiver 102, according to anembodiment. As depicted, the GNSS receiver 102 includes an antenna 202,a front-end processing block 204, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)206, a decimation and filtering block 208, a quantization block 210, atleast one buffer 212, such as buffers 212 a and 212 b, a multiplexer214, at least one correlator block, such as correlator block 216, and atleast one memory, such as memory 218. The details of the diagram areprovided merely by way of illustration, and other embodiments maycontain fewer or more components and corresponding interconnections.

The antenna 202 is configured to receive multiple satellite signals fromGNSS satellites (not shown) in one or more satellite systems, such asGPS, GLONASS, Galileo and the like. The combination of all satellitesignals is herein referred to as “received signal” or “signal.” Theantenna 202 is further configured to provide the signal to the front-endprocessing block 204. The front-end processing block 204 is configuredto perform one or more levels of down-conversion to lower a carrierfrequency of the signal to a lower frequency (e.g., an intermediatefrequency (IF)). Additionally, the front-end processing block 204 may beconfigured to perform various front-end analog signal processingoperations on the signal, such as band-pass filtering, amplificationusing a low-noise amplifier, etc. The front-end processing block 204 isalso configured to provide the processed signal (e.g., IF signal) to theADC 206. In certain embodiments, the front-end processing block 204 isdesigned to operate in GPS, Galileo, or similar environments using codedivision multiple access (CDMA) processes. The front-end processingblock 204 may also be designed to operate in other environments, such asa GLONASS environment, using frequency division multiplexed (FDM)processes.

The ADC 206 is configured to sample the signal to generate a pluralityof corresponding digital codes/samples. The sampling rate may beselected to be sufficiently high such that code and data information inthe IF signal is preserved. The ADC 206 is configured to provide theplurality of samples corresponding to the signal to the decimation andfiltering block 208. The decimation and filtering block 208 isconfigured to down-convert the IF frequency to baseband and provide thefinal down-converted signal at baseband to the quantization block 210.The quantization block 210 is configured to perform a multiple levelquantization of the plurality of samples. The multiple level ofquantization of the plurality of samples may associate each sample withthe sample bit representation. For example, the quantization block 210may be configured to perform a seven level quantization of the samples.The seven level of quantization of the samples may associate each samplewith a three bit representation.

The quantization block 210 is configured to provide the samples to thebuffers 212 a and 212 b. The buffers 212 a and 212 b will hereinafter becollectively referred to as “at least one buffer 212.” The at least onebuffer 212 is depicted to include only two buffers 212 a and 212 bmerely by way of illustration, and the at least one buffer 212 maycontain fewer or more buffers and corresponding interconnections. The atleast one buffer 212 is configured to store the plurality of samplescorresponding to the signal (down-converted to baseband). The pluralityof samples may be stored at a frequency of “S” samples per chip (spc),for example, 1 spc, 2spc and/or 4 spc.

The at least one buffer 212 is configured to provide the plurality ofsamples to the correlator block 216 via the multiplexer 214. Themultiplexer 214 is configured to select the samples from the buffers ofthe at least one buffer 212 and provide the samples to the correlatorblock 216. The correlator block 216 is configured to generatecorrelation results by generating replica local signals corresponding toeach transmitted GNSS satellite signal (signals at baseband modulated byunique PN code corresponding to the each GNSS satellite), andcorrelating the signal with each replica local signal to acquire (orlock onto) and track (to maintain lock) the transmitted GNSS satellitesignals. The memory 218 is configured to store the correlation results.A detection of a presence of at least one GNSS satellite signal in thereceived signal may be performed based on the correlation results. Thedetection of the presence of the at least one GNSS satellite signal inthe received signal is explained in detail in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a portion of a GNSS receiver 102 fordetecting the presence of at least one GNSS satellite signal in areceived signal, according to an embodiment. More particularly, FIG. 3depicts the at least one buffer 212 (i.e., buffers 212 a and 212 b), themultiplexer 214, the correlator block 216 and the memory 218. Thecorrelator block 216 includes a Doppler derotation block 302, an inputquantization block 304, a register array 306, a correlator engine 308, atemporary storage 310, a correlator processing block 312, a controlsequencing block 314, and a bit accumulating block 316. The details ofthe correlator block 216 are provided merely by way of illustration, andother embodiments may contain fewer or more components and correspondinginterconnections.

As explained in FIG. 2, the at least one buffer 212 may be configured tostore a plurality of samples corresponding to the signal. An example ofthe at least one buffer 212 may be a ping-pong buffer. Accordingly, eachbuffer of the at least one buffer 212 may be configured to store samplesin one section (for example, the ping section 220 a) of the each bufferwhile the samples in another section (for example, the pong section 220b) of the each buffer are being selected by the multiplexer 214 to beforwarded to the correlator block 216 for processing. Thereafter, thestored samples from the ping section 220 a may be forwarded forprocessing to the correlator block 216 while samples from thequantization block 210 are loaded into the pang section 220 b. Anotherexample of at the at least one buffer 212 may be a cyclical buffer.

In an example embodiment, each buffer 212 a and 212 b of the at leastone buffer 212 is configured to store a number of samples spanning atleast one code period. In an example embodiment, when the GNSS satellitesignal is from any of a GPS satellite or a GLONASS satellite, the codeperiod may correspond to 1 ms time period. The 1 ms time period in GPSmay correspond to a unique, 1023 bit code that is specific to each GPSsatellite (not shown). The buffer 212 a is depicted as capable ofstoring GPS samples at 1 spc. At 1 spc, 1023 samples may be generatedcorresponding to the code period of 1 ms. Also, each sample may beembodied by 3 bit I and Q values for a total of 6 bits. Accordingly, onecode period of samples may include 1023×6 bits. The buffer 212 a isdepicted as capable of storing two such 1 spc samples.

Similarly, the buffer 212 b is depicted as capable of storing GPSsamples at 2 spc. At 2 spc, 2046 samples may be generated correspondingto the code period of 1 ms and code length of 1023 bits. The 2046samples may be split into 1023 odd samples and 1023 even samples. Eachsample may be depicted by 3 bit I and Q values for a total of 6 bits.Accordingly, one code period of odd samples may include 1023×6 bits andone code of even samples may include 1023×6 bits. The buffer 212 b isdepicted as being capable of storing four such 1 ms samples.

It should be appreciated that GPS 1 spc samples and GPS 2 spc samples donot limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should also beappreciated that the at least one buffer 212 may not be restricted toGPS samples but may also include samples corresponding to GNSSsatellites belonging to other satellite systems, such as GLONASS (e.g.,using 511 bit PN-code). In an example embodiment, the at least onebuffer 212 may include a buffer for each frequency of carrier signal atwhich a GLONASS satellite transmission is performed. Further, it shouldbe appreciated that the 1 spc and 2 spc rates are depicted forillustration purposes only and do not limit the scope of the presentdisclosure. Also, each buffer 212 a and 212 b of the at least one buffer212 may include samples that are sampled at smaller or larger number ofsamples per chip. For example, each buffer 212 a and 212 b of the atleast one buffer 212 may store samples that are sampled at 4 spc, 6 spcand so on. Moreover, the number of 1 ms worth samples stored in eachbuffer 212 a and 212 b of the at least one buffer 210 may also vary andmay not be restricted to the number depicted in FIG. 3.

In an example embodiment, the multiplexer 214 may be a 2:1 multiplexerin FIG. 3. However, the multiplexer 214 is not restricted to a 2:1multiplexer. Indeed, various possible configurations of the multiplexer214 may be implemented. The multiplexer 214 may select the samples fromthe at least one buffer 212 and provide the samples to the correlatorblock 216. In an example embodiment, the multiplexer 214 may be directedto select one of 1 spc samples and 2 spc samples by the controlsequencing block 314 based on a mode of the GNSS receiver 102. Forexample, when the GNSS receiver 102 is in a cold start mode and has toperform a search for detecting the presence of the GNSS satellite signalfrom start then the multiplexer 214 may be directed to select 1 spcsamples. On a coarse detection of the presence of the GNSS satellitesignal, the multiplexer 214 may be directed to select 2 spc samples forbetter peak identification and better resolution sensitivity.

The selected samples (for example, one code period of samples, i.e. 1023samples) from the plurality of samples stored in the at least one buffer212 may be provided to the Doppler derotation block 302 by themultiplexer 214. The Doppler derotation block 302 is configured toperform Doppler derotation corresponding to at least one Dopplerfrequency on the samples. Due to relative motion of the GNSS satellitesand the user, there may be a Doppler shift in the frequency “f” of thereceived signal. Several such estimates of the Doppler frequency (i.e.,Doppler shift in the frequency) may be considered. In an exampleembodiment, the Doppler derotation block 302 may be configured with acarrier phase generator utilizing a phase accumulator (not shown) togenerate negative Doppler coefficients or negative Doppler frequencycorresponding to each Doppler frequency. The samples may be multipliedby the negative Doppler frequency to perform the Doppler derotation andremove the impact of the carrier Doppler shift in the signal.

The Doppler derotated samples may be received by the input quantizationblock 304. The input quantization block 304 may perform a multiple levelquantization of the Doppler derotated samples. The multiple level ofquantization of the samples may associate each sample with the samplebit representation. For example, the input quantization block 304 may beconfigured to perform a seven level quantization of the samples. Theseven level of quantization of the samples may associate each samplewith a three bit representation. In an example embodiment, the multiplelevel of quantization may be performed in a manner wherein a bit at afirst position within the each sample bit representation is configuredto remain unaltered on correlation with a plurality of code phases forthe at least GNSS satellite. The multiple level of quantization of thesamples is explained in further detail in conjunction with FIG. 4.

It may be appreciated that the input quantization block 304 may performquantization of the samples in a manner similar to the quantizationblock 210. The samples may need to be quantized again post Dopplerderotation for maintaining the sample bit representation of the samplesintact for correlation purposes. Subsequent to the quantization, theDoppler derotated samples corresponding to a Doppler frequency of the atleast one Doppler frequency are loaded in the register array 306. Anexample of the register array 306 is a tapped delay line. In an exampleembodiment, the register array 306 includes locations, such as location306 a for storing a sample (i.e., sample bit representationscorresponding to the sample) of the Doppler rotated samples.

The register array 306 is configured to be reloaded with samples uponeach Doppler derotation corresponding to a subsequent Doppler frequencyof the at least one Doppler frequency. For example, after generating thecorrelation results for the Doppler derotated samples corresponding tothe first Doppler frequency of the at least one frequency in theregister array 306, the samples in the register array 306 may bereplaced with Doppler derotated samples corresponding to the secondDoppler frequency of the at least one Doppler frequency. The samples inthe register array 306 may be similarly replaced subsequent togeneration of the correlation results with the Doppler derotated samplescorresponding to the next Doppler frequency.

For the samples in the register array 306, the correlator engine 308 isconfigured to generate correlation results by correlating the sampleswith a plurality of code phases for at least one GNSS satellite. Morespecifically, the correlator engine 308 may be configured to generatelocal signals corresponding to each transmitted GNSS signal andcorrelate the received signal with each of the local signals to acquire(lock onto) and track (to maintain lock) the transmitted GNSS signals.Each local signal may be a corresponding PN code, generated for exampleby using a PN code generator (not shown), of a GNSS satellite. Oncorrelating the samples stored in the register array 306, the localsignal may be shifted by one bit (i.e. code phase) till all bits of thelocal signal are shifted and the correlation with the samples stored inthe register array 306 may be performed for each shifted version of thelocal signal.

In an example embodiment, the register array 306 is configured to beloaded with samples spanning one code period. In an example embodiment,1023 samples (i.e. three bit representations of 1023 samples) are loadedinto the register array 306 after correcting for a Doppler frequency,for example first Doppler frequency. During the process of loading thesamples in the register array 306, the correlator engine 308 may alsogenerate a local signal which is a PN code corresponding to a GNSSsatellite, for example a first GNSS satellite. The correlator engine 308may correlate the samples with the local signal, i.e. multiply thesamples with +1/−1 values corresponding to the PN code, to generate aset of correlation results.

In cyclic convolution based correlation, the PN code may be shifted byone code phase (for example, one bit) and the correlation is performedagain with the samples (kept static in the register array 306) togenerate another set of correlation results. The PN code may becyclically shifted by 1023 bits and correlation performed with thesamples for each code phase to generate 1023 correlation results. Thecorrelation results may be stored in the temporary storage 310.Similarly, the correlation results may be generated for multiple Dopplerfrequencies for a plurality of code phases for each GNSS satellite beingsearched and stored in the temporary storage 310. It will be apparentthat the plurality of code phases is configured by cyclically shifting aGNSS satellite code corresponding to each GNSS satellite of the at leastone GNSS satellite by at least one code phase. It should be appreciatedthat for samples at 2 spc, after computing all the correlations of oddsamples, the 1023 input samples corresponding to the even samples may beloaded and correlations may be computed and stored in a temporarystorage 310.

In a linear convolution based correlation, the PN code may be shifted byone code phase and correlation performed for the cyclically loadedsamples in the register array 306 to generate the correlation results.The samples are cyclically loaded into the register array 306 subsequentto Doppler derotation corresponding to the Doppler frequency. In anexample embodiment, 1023 samples (for example, sample 1 to sample 1023)corresponding to a first Doppler frequency may be loaded in the registerarray 306 and the correlation of the 1023 samples may be performed withthe plurality of code phases of the at least one GNSS satellite togenerate the correlation results. Subsequent to the generation of thecorrelation results, the next Doppler derotated sample (for example,sample 1024) corresponding to the first Doppler frequency may becyclically loaded into the register array 304 while the oldest sample(i.e. sample 1) may exit the register array 306. The register array 306may be similarly cyclically loaded by replacing the oldest sample by thenewest sample and the correlation results generated after each loadingoperation. The PN code may be cyclically shifted by 1023 bits andcorrelation performed with the cyclically loaded samples for each codephase to generate the correlation results. The correlation results maybe stored in the temporary storage 310. Similarly, the correlationresults may be generated for multiple Doppler frequencies for aplurality of code phases for each GNSS satellite being searched andstored in the temporary storage 310.

As explained in conjunction with FIG. 2, the at least one buffer 212 isdepicted to include only two buffers 212 a and 212 b merely by way ofillustration, and the at least one buffer 212 may contain fewer or morebuffers and corresponding interconnections. It may be appreciated thatfor linear convolution based correlation, the at least one buffer 212may include three buffers (not shown in FIG. 3) for storing samplesinstead of two buffers 212 a and 212 b as depicted in FIG. 3. On loadingthe first two buffers, for example, first buffer and second buffer,respectively, with the samples, a third buffer (not shown in FIG. 3) maybe selected for loading purposes. During loading of the third buffer,the samples from the first buffer may be selected by the multiplexer 214to be forwarded to the correlator block 216 for processing.Subsequently, the samples in the second buffer and the third buffer maybe selected, respectively, by the multiplexer 214 to be forwarded to thecorrelator block 216 for processing.

In an example embodiment, for a 2 spc sampling rate, correlation resultsfor the even samples (0,2,4,6, . . . ) are stored in the temporarystorage 310 followed by the storage of the correlation results for theodd samples (1,3,5 . . . ). The correlation results may then be arrangedin a natural order (0,1,2,3 . . . ) and provided to the correlatorprocessing block 312. The correlator processing block 312 is configuredto perform at least one of a coherent accumulation and a non-coherentaccumulation of the correlation results. The memory 218 is configured tostore the at least one of the coherent accumulation and the non-coherentaccumulation of the correlation results. The above sequence of steps maybe repeated for plurality of code phases for different GNSS satellites.

The correlator processing block 312 is further configured to perform atiming offset correction on the correlation results prior to performingthe at least one of the coherent accumulation and the non-coherentaccumulation of the correlation results. Procedures for the timingoffset correction, such as code Doppler correction, may include thoseknown to persons skilled in the relevant arts and are not includedherein for sake of brevity of description.

The memory 218 is configured to store the at least one of the coherentaccumulation and the non-coherent accumulation of the correlationresults. It should be appreciated that the memory 218 may include a bankof coherent memories and a bank of non-coherent memories for thecoherent accumulation and the non-coherent accumulation, respectively,of the correlation results. The coherent accumulation and non-coherentaccumulation of the correlation results may be performed to improve asignal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the received signal for detecting thepresence of the GNSS satellite signals in the received signal. Thecoherent accumulation of the correlation results may include summing thecorrelation results corresponding to a code phase across multiple samplesets. The coherent accumulation may also include integrating I and Qcomponents of the received signal separately. The non-coherentaccumulation may include known techniques, such as accumulating absolutevalues of accumulated data from the coherent accumulation, accumulatingsquares of absolute vales of accumulated data from the coherentaccumulation and the like.

In an example embodiment, the correlator processing block 312 is furtherconfigured to detect the presence of the at least one GNSS satellitesignal based on the at least one of the coherent accumulation and thenon-coherent accumulation of the correlation results. For example, thecorrelation results corresponding to each code phase search in 1 ms maybe summed over 1 s (or such other programmed time duration) to identifya clear peak (for example by checking for crossing of pre-definedmathematical threshold functions and the like), which may signify thepresence of GNSS satellite signal. The location of the peak may then beobtained by interpolation, and such known procedures, for obtaining adistance between a GNSS satellite and the user.

The control sequencing block 314 is configured to trigger/control asequence of operations, for example, by triggering the multiplexer 214to select samples from the at least one buffer 212, selecting theDoppler frequency for performing Doppler derotation, i.e., carrierDoppler removal, loading the samples into the register array 306,selecting the GNSS satellite code for performing the correlationoperation and performing of the coherent and non-coherent accumulation.The control sequencing block 314 is configured to repeat the aboveoperations for multiple combinations of Doppler frequencies and GNSSsatellite codes.

In FIG. 3, the GNSS receiver 102 is depicted to include a bitaccumulating block 316. More particularly, the correlator block 216 isdepicted to include the bit accumulating block 316 in between the inputquantization block 304 and the correlator engine 308. However, the bitaccumulating block 316 may be disposed at any location in the correlatorblock 216 for accumulating the bit at the first position within the eachsample representation prior to loading the samples in the register array306. It may be appreciated that each sample loaded in the register array306 is represented by its entire sample bit representation (includingthe bit at the first position) and that the bit accumulating block 316may be configured to record the bit at the first position for the eachsample. In an example embodiment, the first position corresponds to aleast significant bit (LSB) position within the each sample bitrepresentation and the bit accumulating block 316 stores and accumulatesthe LSB bits of the sample bit representations prior to loading thesamples in the register array 306. The correlator engine 308 isconfigured to perform partial correlation of the samples by correlatingremaining bits, i.e., bits not at the LSB position or the mostsignificant bits, with the plurality of code phases of the at least oneGNSS satellite. The accumulated LSB bits may be added to the partialcorrelation results for generating the correlation results. The additionof the bit at the first position, for example, the LSB position, withinthe each sample bit representation to the partial correlation results inexplained in FIG. 5.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of multiple level quantization of samples,according to an embodiment. As explained, the GNSS receiver 102 includesthe input quantization block 304. The input quantization block 304 isconfigured to perform a multiple level quantization on the samples. Thequantization is performed on the generated samples (post sampling) forrepresenting the samples with a discrete number of representations. InFIG. 4, the Y axis 402 depicts the quantization thresholds (5*Th/4,3*Th/4, Th/4, −Th/4, −3*Th/4, −5*Th/4) with corresponding sevenquantization levels (−3, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3). Each quantization level isassociated with a sample bit representation. For example, thequantization level “−3” is associated with sample bit representation 001(corresponding to 1) and the quantization level “+3” is associated withsample bit representation 111 (corresponding to 7). The X axis 404 mayinclude the discrete samples to be quantized (not depicted in FIG. 3).

The quantization thresholds, the quantization levels and the bitrepresentations are depicted for illustration purposes only and may benot considered to be limiting the scope of the description. Also, otherquantization thresholds with corresponding quantization levels and bitrepresentations may be implemented.

Performing quantization of the samples in such a manner may provideseveral advantages. More particularly, when the sample is multiplied by+1/−1 (corresponding to the PN code) during correlation, the LSB bitdoes not change. For example, when “−3” quantization level withcorresponding sample bit representation 001 is multiplied by “−1”corresponding to the PN code, the correlation result is “+3” which has asample bit representation of 111. The LSB bit “1” remains unalteredduring the correlation. Similarly, when +1 quantization level withcorresponding sample bit representation 101 is multiplied by −1, theresult is −1 which has a sample bit representation of 011. The LSB bit“1” remains similarly unaltered during the correlation.

As the LSB bit remains unaltered during the correlation process, the LSBbits may be accumulated and stored prior to loading the samples in theregister array 306. Partial correlations may then be performed with twobits of the three bit sample representation and the LSB bits maythereafter be added to the result to generate the correlation results.Such a procedure may lead to significant area/power saving. Theaccumulation of the bits for addition to partial correlations isexplained in further detail in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram depicting an addition of the bit at thefirst position, for example the LSB position, within the each sample bitrepresentation to the partial correlation results for generating thecorrelations results, according to an embodiment. More particularly,FIG. 5 depicts an implementation of the correlator engine 308. FIG. 3depicts a single large correlator engine 308 capable of correlatingsamples, for example, 1023 samples, with plurality of code phasescorresponding to at least one GNSS satellite code (e.g., the PN code).In an embodiment, such a correlator engine 308 may be implemented toinclude multiple instances of smaller correlator engines, for examplecorrelator engines 308 a, 308 b, 308 c and 308 d, which performcorrelation of a portion of samples, which may then be combined, forexample by adder tree mechanism to generate the correlation results. Forexample, for correlating 1023 samples loaded into the register array306, the correlator engine 308 may include 64 instances of 16 bitcorrelator engines (e.g., correlator engines such as the correlatorengines 308 a, 308 b, 308 c and 308 d) capable of performing correlationof 16 samples of the signal with the corresponding portion of a PN codein a parallel manner.

Various components within the correlator engines for performingcorrelation (e.g., multiplexers for multiplying 1023 bit PN code withthree bit sample representations) and performing addition of outputs(e.g., by using adder tree mechanism) are not depicted in FIG. 5 for thesake of brevity of description and as the correlation computation logicis known in the relevant arts.

As explained in FIGS. 3 and 4, each sample loaded in the register array306 is associated with a sample bit representation, for example, a threebit representation. The bit accumulating block 316 stores andaccumulates bits at the first position, for example, the LSB position,within each sample bit representation prior to loading the samples intothe register array 306. The correlator engine 308 is configured toperform correlation of the remaining bits of the samples, for example,the bits excluding the bit at the first position, with the plurality ofcode phases of the at least one GNSS satellite to generate partialcorrelation results. For example, only two bits (i.e., bits not in theLSB bit position) of sample bit representation of each sample may bemultiplied with the PN code and the resulting two bit correlation resultmay be added (e.g., using adders such as adder 502 a, 502 b and 502 c)to the sum of LSB bits from the bit accumulating block 316 to generatethe correlation results. In FIG. 5, the sum of the LSB bits (depicted asaccumulated bits) from the bit accumulating block 316 is depicted to beadded to the 2-bit correlation results from each correlator engines,such as the correlator engines 308 a, 308 b, 308 c and 308 d, togenerate the correlation results.

The multiple level of quantization explained in FIG. 4 enables samplebit representations of the samples to include a bit (for example, theLSB bit) which remains unaltered during correlation process and as suchmay be stored and accumulated before-hand and later added to the partialcorrelation results, thereby precluding computation of the bit for eachsample bit representation during the correlation process leading tosizable area and power saving for the GNSS receiver 102.

It should be noted that some of the features described in thisspecification have been presented as blocks (e.g., the correlatorblock), in order to more particularly emphasize their implementationindependence. A block may be implemented as a hardware circuitcomprising custom very large scale integration (VLSI) circuits or gatearrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors,or other discrete components. A block may also be implemented inprogrammable hardware devices, such as field programmable gate arrays,programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, graphicsprocessing units, and the like.

A block may also be at least partially implemented in software forexecution by various types of correlator processing blocks. Anidentified block of executable code may, for instance, comprise one ormore physical or logical blocks of computer instructions which may, forinstance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function.Nevertheless, the executables of an identified block need not bephysically located together, but may comprise disparate instructionsstored in different locations which, when joined logically together,comprise the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module.Further, blocks may be stored on a computer-readable medium, which maybe, for instance, a hard disk drive, flash device, random access memory(RAM), tape, or any other such medium used to store data. Moreover,components, such as buffers of the at least one buffer 212, memory 218,and temporary storage 310 may be implemented as storage components, forexample, random access memory (RAM), flash memory, etc.

The flowchart diagrams that follow are generally set forth as logicalflowchart diagrams. The depicted operations and sequences thereof areindicative of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Itshould be appreciated, however, that the scope of the present disclosureincludes methods that use other operations and sequences, and methodsthat are useful or similar in function, logic, or effect. Also, whilevarious arrow types, line types, and formatting styles may be employedin the flowchart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope ofthe corresponding method(s). In addition, some arrows, connectors andother formatting features may be used to indicate the logical flow ofthe methods. For instance, some arrows or connectors may indicate awaiting or monitoring period of an unspecified duration. Accordingly,the specifically disclosed operations, sequences, and formats areprovided to explain the logical flow of the methods and are understoodnot to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart diagram of a method 600 for detecting presence ofsatellite signals in a received signal, according to an embodiment. Themethod 600 includes storing 610 a plurality of samples corresponding toa signal (e.g., using the at least one buffer 212), performing 620Doppler derotation corresponding to at least one Doppler frequency onthe plurality of samples (e.g., using the Doppler derotation block 302)and generating 630 correlation results by correlating the Dopplerde-rotated samples corresponding to each Doppler frequency of the atleast one frequency with a plurality of code phases for at least oneGNSS satellite (e.g., using the correlator engine 308). In an exampleembodiment, the method also includes performing at least one of acoherent accumulation and a non-coherent accumulation of the correlationresults and detecting a presence of at least one GNSS satellite signalbased on the at least one of the coherent accumulation and thenon-coherent accumulation of the correlation results (e.g., using thecorrelator processing block 312).

As explained in FIG. 1, the signal may contain multiple transmitted GNSSsignals, such as the satellite signals 104 a, 104 b, 104 c and 104 d.The received signal may be down-converted to an intermediate frequency(e.g., using the front-end processing block 204), converted to theplurality of digital samples (e.g., using the ADC 206) anddown-converted to baseband frequency (e.g., using the decimation andfiltering block 208) prior to storing the plurality of samples.

In another example embodiment, a multiple level quantization of samplesmay be performed (e.g., using the input quantization block 304) prior togenerating the correlation results. The multiple level of quantizationof samples may associate each sample with a sample bit representation.In an example embodiment, a bit at a first position within each samplebit representation of the plurality of sample bit representations may beaccumulated (e.g., using the bit accumulating block 316) prior togenerating correlation results. In an example embodiment, thecorrelation results may be generated by generating partial correlationresults by correlating remaining bits within each sample bitrepresentation with a plurality of code phases for at least one GNSSsatellite and adding the bits accumulated to the partial correlationresults (as explained in FIG. 5).

FIGS. 7A and 7B depict a flowchart diagram of another method 700 fordetecting presence of satellite signals in a received signal. The method700 includes storing 710 a plurality of samples corresponding to asignal (e.g., using the at least one buffer 212), performing 720 Dopplerderotation corresponding to a Doppler frequency on the plurality ofsamples (e.g., using the Doppler derotation block 302), performing 730multiple level of quantization of the plurality of samples forassociating each sample with a sample bit representation (e.g. , usingthe input quantization block 304), accumulating 740 bit at a firstposition within each sample bit representation of the plurality ofsample bit representations (e.g., using the bit accumulating block 316),and generating 750 correlation results for the samples by generatingpartial correlation results by correlating remaining bits within eachsample bit representation with a plurality of code phases for a GNSSsatellite and adding accumulated bits to the partial correlation results(e.g., using the correlator engine 308).

The method 700 further includes determining 760 whether correlationresults are generated for all code phases of the GNSS satellite. If itis determined that the correlation results are not generated for allcode phases of the GNSS satellite, then the method 700 includesperforming 770 cyclical shifting of the code phase of the GNSS satelliteby one code phase and generating 760 correlation results for thesamples. It is again determined 760 whether correlation results aregenerated for all code phases of the GNSS satellite. The method 700includes repeating determining 760, performing 770 and generating 750till correlation results are generated for all code phases of the GNSSsatellite.

On determining that the correlation results are generated for all codephases of the GNSS satellite, then the method includes determining 780,whether correlation results are generated for all Doppler frequencies.If it is determined that the correlation results are not generated forall Doppler frequencies, then the method 700 includes selecting 790another Doppler frequency (i.e. different Doppler frequency than theDoppler frequency for which correlation results are generated) andrepeating performing 720 to determining 780 till correlation results aregenerated for all code phases and all Doppler frequencies of the GNSSsatellite.

The method further 700 includes determining 800 whether correlationresults are generated for all GNSS satellites. For example, determining800 may be performed for all satellites in the GPS constellation or theGLONASS constellation or both. If it is determined that the correlationresults are not generated for all the GNSS satellites, then the method700 includes selecting 810 another GNSS satellite (i.e. different GNSSsatellite than the GNSS satellite for which correlation results aregenerated) and generating 760 correlation results for the samples forall the code phases of the another GNSS satellite. The method 700includes repeating performing 720 to determining 800 till correlationresults are generated for all combinations of Doppler frequencies, codephases and GNSS satellites.

The generation of the correlation results for all combinations ofDoppler frequencies, code phases and GNSS satellites in the method 700is depicted for illustration purposes only and may be not considered tobe limiting the scope of the description. It will be evident to thoseskilled in the relevant arts, that though the method 700 depictsgenerating correlation results for all combinations of Dopplerfrequencies, code phases and GNSS satellites, the generation of thecorrelation results may be limited to selected code-phases of selectGNSS satellites for reducing memory and computational capacityrequirement.

The method 700 further includes performing 820 at least one of acoherent accumulation and a non-coherent accumulation of the correlationresults and detecting 830 a presence of at least one GNSS satellitesignal based on the at least one of the coherent accumulation and thenon-coherent accumulation of the correlation results (e.g., using thecorrelator processing block 312).

In an example embodiment, the multiple quantization of the samples maybe performed in a manner that the bit at the first position within theeach sample bit representation remains unaltered on correlation with aplurality of code phases for the at least one GNSS satellite code (asexplained in FIG. 4). In an example embodiment, the first positionwithin the each sample bit representation may be a least significant bitposition.

As described above, the systems, devices (i.e., apparatuses) and methodsof the present disclosure include multiple solutions for detectingpresence of the satellite signals in a received signal by a GNSSreceiver, such as the GNSS receiver 102. It should be appreciated,therefore, that the present disclosure discloses several features thatenable the GNSS receiver to be implemented with smaller area and powerrequirements. For example, storing the samples in the register arraypost Doppler derotation of the samples and performing correlation of thesamples by cyclic shifting of the PN-code using a single large timemultiplexed correlator engine, enables the GNSS receiver to efficientlyperform correlation operation precluding traditional architecture ofdedicated logical channels corresponding to one Doppler frequency/GNSSsatellite combination, thereby providing considerable area/power saving(˜50%). Moreover, performing quantization of the samples as explained inFIG. 4, wherein the LSB does not change during correlation operationprovides a significant computational complexity reduction leading tosignificant area/power saving. Furthermore, the features of the GNSSreceiver may be applied to one or more satellite systems (includingcombination of satellite systems) such as GPS, GLONASS and the like,with little modification.

It should be noted that reference throughout this specification tofeatures, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of thefeatures and advantages should be or are in any single embodiment.Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understoodto mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic describedin connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodimentof the present disclosure. Thus, discussion of the features andadvantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, butdo not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Further, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of thedisclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that thedisclosure can be practiced without one or more of the specific featuresor advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additionalfeatures and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments thatmay not be present in all embodiments of the disclosure.

One having ordinary skill in the art will understand that the presentdisclosure, as discussed above, may be practiced with steps and/oroperations in a different order, and/or with hardware elements inconfigurations which are different than those which are disclosed.Therefore, although the disclosure has been described based upon thesepreferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that certainmodifications, variations, and alternative constructions are apparentand well within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. In order todetermine the metes and bounds of the disclosure, therefore, referenceshould be made to the appended claims.

1. A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver, the GNSSreceiver comprising: at least one buffer configured to store a pluralityof samples corresponding to a signal; and at least one correlator block,the at least one correlator block comprising: a Doppler derotation blockconfigured to receive the plurality of samples from the at least onebuffer and perform Doppler derotation corresponding to at least oneDoppler frequency on the plurality of samples, a register arrayconfigured to be loaded with the plurality of samples on Dopplerderotation corresponding to a Doppler frequency of the at least oneDoppler frequency, and a correlator engine configured to generatecorrelation results by correlating the plurality of samples loaded inthe register array with a plurality of code phases for at least one GNSSsatellite.
 2. The GNSS receiver of claim 1, wherein the register arrayis configured to be reloaded with the plurality of samples upon eachDoppler derotation corresponding to a subsequent Doppler frequency ofthe at least one Doppler frequency.
 3. The GNSS receiver of claim 1,wherein the at least one correlator block further comprises: acorrelator processing block configured to perform at least one of acoherent accumulation and a non-coherent accumulation of the correlationresults.
 4. The GNSS receiver of claim 3, further comprising: at leastone memory configured to store the at least one of the coherentaccumulation and the non-coherent accumulation of the correlationresults.
 5. The GNSS receiver of claim 3, wherein the correlatorprocessing block is further configured to detect a presence of at leastone GNSS satellite signal based on the at least one of the coherentaccumulation and the non-coherent accumulation of the correlationresults.
 6. The GNSS receiver of claim 3, wherein the correlatorprocessing block is further configured to perform timing offsetcorrection on the correlation results prior to performing the at leastone of the coherent accumulation and the non-coherent accumulation ofthe correlation results.
 7. The GNSS receiver of claim 1, wherein the atleast one correlator block further comprises: an input quantizationblock configured to perform a multiple level quantization of theplurality of samples, the multiple level of quantization of theplurality of samples associating each sample with a sample bitrepresentation; and a bit accumulating block capable of accumulating bitat a first position within each sample bit representation prior toloading the plurality of samples in the register array.
 8. The GNSSreceiver of claim 7, wherein the correlator engine is configured togenerate the correlation results for the plurality of samples in theregister array by generating partial correlation results by correlatingremaining bits within each sample bit representation with the pluralityof code phases for the at least one GNSS satellite; and adding bitsaccumulated by the bit accumulating block to the partial correlationresults.
 9. The GNSS receiver of claim 1, wherein the plurality of codephases is configured by cyclically shifting a GNSS satellite codecorresponding to each GNSS satellite of the at least one GNSS satelliteby at least one code phase.
 10. The GNSS receiver of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of samples are cyclically loaded into the register arraysubsequent to Doppler derotation corresponding to the Doppler frequency.11. A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver, the GNSSreceiver comprising: at least one buffer configured to store a pluralityof samples corresponding to a signal, each sample of the plurality ofsamples associated with a sample bit representation; and at least onecorrelator block, the at least one correlator block comprising a Dopplerderotation block configured to receive the plurality of samples from theat least one buffer and perform Doppler derotation corresponding to atleast one Doppler frequency on the plurality of samples, a bitaccumulating block capable of accumulating bit at a first positionwithin each sample bit representation of the plurality of samplessubsequent to Doppler derotation corresponding to a Doppler frequency ofthe at least one Doppler frequency, a register array configured to beloaded with the plurality of samples corresponding to the Dopplerfrequency, a correlator engine configured to generate correlationresults for the plurality of samples in the register array by generatingpartial correlation results by correlating remaining bits within eachsample bit representation with a plurality of code phases for at leastone GNSS satellite, and adding bits accumulated by the bit accumulatingblock to the partial correlation results, and a correlator processingblock configured to perform at least one of a coherent accumulation anda non-coherent accumulation of the correlation results; and at least onememory configured to store the at least one of the coherent accumulationand the non-coherent accumulation of the correlation results.
 12. TheGNSS receiver of claim 11, wherein the at least one correlator blockfurther comprises: an input quantization block configured to perform amultiple level quantization of the plurality of samples, the multiplelevel of quantization of the plurality of samples associating eachsample with the sample bit representation.
 13. The GNSS receiver ofclaim 11, wherein the bit at the first position within the each samplebit representation is configured to remain unaltered on correlating witha plurality of code phases for the at least one GNSS satellite.
 14. TheGNSS receiver of claim 11, wherein the first position within the eachsample bit representation is a least significant bit position.
 15. TheGNSS receiver of claim 11, wherein the correlator processing block isfurther configured to detect a presence of at least one GNSS satellitesignal based on the at least one of the coherent accumulation and thenon-coherent accumulation of the correlation results.
 16. A methodcomprising: storing a plurality of samples corresponding to a signal;performing Doppler derotation corresponding to at least one Dopplerfrequency on the plurality of samples; and generating correlationresults by correlating the Doppler derotated samples corresponding toeach Doppler frequency of the at least one Doppler frequency with aplurality of code phases for at least one GNSS satellite.
 17. The methodof claim 16, further comprising: performing at least one of a coherentaccumulation and a non-coherent accumulation of the correlation results.18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: detecting a presence ofat least one GNSS satellite signal based on the at least one of thecoherent accumulation and the non-coherent accumulation of thecorrelation results.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:performing a multiple level quantization of the plurality of samples,the multiple level of quantization of the plurality of samplesassociating each sample with a sample bit representation; andaccumulating bit at a first position within each sample bitrepresentation of the samples prior to generating of the correlationresults.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the correlation results aregenerated by generating partial correlation results by correlatingremaining bits within each sample bit representation with a plurality ofcode phases for the at least one GNSS satellite; and adding accumulatedbits to the partial correlation results.